THE PURPOSE OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE - 02/24/23 (Friday after Ash Wednesday)

Matthew 9:14–15

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022423.cfm

Blessed Friday! Jesus Christ, through the Catholic Church, invites us to persevere in fasting and abstinence. We should only eat less than 2 meals when we fast, and this is done on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Meanwhile, we abstain from meat every Friday of the Lent. These are not just customs because there are important reasons why we do these things which we will see in the gospel reading. The disciples of John asked our Lord Jesus as to why His disciples were not fasting while they were doing it, together with the Pharisees. The reason why His disciples were not fasting was because He, the Bridegroom of the Church, was with them. It's a time for feasting, not fasting. But, Jesus told us that there would be a time that He would be taken away, and they would fast. And, we knew that this took place when our Lord Jesus died on the cross. That was truly a sorrowful moment for the Blessed Virgin Mary and for His disciples. When we fast by eating less than 2 meals and when we abstain from meat, we are doing it as a way of honoring Jesus who died on the Cross. 

When we eat meat and a lot of food, it is usually done in the context of a feast or celebration. But, we don't celebrate the death of Christ like a feast. We shouldn't be glad that our Lord suffered. Though it's true that we should rejoice in His love for us and in the gift of salvation, we should remember that we should not be happy that Jesus suffered because of our sins and that He was tortured to death by His own people. And, these sacrifices should lead us to do the will of God. Another reason why we detach ourselves from the pleasures of food is for us to be more attached to God because doing His will is necessary for us to accept the gift of salvation. When the Pharisees fasted, they focused on themselves and on appearing as "holy" before other people. However, the type of sacrifices that are pleasing to God are those that allow us to follow the way of Christ. It should purify us more and more in such a way that we will avoid sins such as pride, the use of the name of God in vain, gossiping, and many more. What is our disposition when it comes to the instructions of the Church about fasting and abstinence? Do we simply neglect them and think they are not important? If this is what we may think, let's remember Jesus on the Cross and ponder on His mercy for us. He is giving us new opportunities for us to love Him and unite our little sacrifices with His sacrifice. Let's humble ourselves by admitting our faults before Him, by begging strength to do His will and by having confidence in His mercy for us. God does not abandon us, and if we trust in His mercy and give ourselves to Him, He will wash away the impurities in His heart because He is compassionate with us, His children. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Fasting and Abstinence during Lent:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/56337/fasting-and-abstinence-during-lent

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth